Disclaimer: I do not own any characters. From RK. Or from anywhere else. I own nothing. This story was just a figment of my imagination.
Note to readers: I'm sorry, forgot to mention that the aforementioned General Yukishiro is not Enishi. Think of him as… Enishi's father… sorry… *bows deeply*
"Men! Send forth orders to exterminate the clan of Kamiya right this instant!"
~~~~~~~~~~~ Ceteris Paribus: Chapter 1~~~~~~~~~~~
Everything was in chaos. Scurrying servants, mostly, before the arrival of the troops. News of the impending attack on the Kamiyas was sent forth by Minister Yamazaki, who felt indebted to the Kamiyas after Koshijirou helped him when he was in the pits. Most of the servants were dismissed, and only two loyal ones were left to assist Lady Kioku and the children. Still worn out from the delivery of Kaoru, Lady Kioku hardly had any energy left to stay awake, let alone travel far distances to escape from the tyranny that is Nobunaga. However, in order to safeguard her family, she would sacrifice anything, even her own life, just so the rest may have a chance to live.
"Anata, please, listen to me, I beg of you, do not step foot into the citadel and confront Nobunaga, please! This is all a set-up! Can't you see?" Kioku pleaded.
"You must understand Kioku. I am bounded by the codes of the samurai. I'm not going to run like a weak coward when trouble surfaces. This must be a misunderstanding. Let me go clear things up with Nobunaga-sama and everything will be all right. Trust me, just this time…"
'This last only time…'"No! Why! Why must you head straight into death, knowing full well that it's that sly Yukishiro who staged this whole conspiracy! Don' t do this! Come with us! We can always start anew somewhere, somehow."
"I have decided and my decision stands. Go, Kioku. Go with the children. Once I've straightened this mess out I'll come for you. Stay with your mother for a while. I promise to come for you after the air clears. Take care of the children, koishii, and take care of yourself." His tone somewhat gave him away; his waning confidence in the task of clearing his name and protecting his family cracked his voice.
All these did not escaped unnoticed by his dear wife. She decided to honour her duties as a wife and stand by her husband always, no matter what happened.
"I'll stay with you, the children shall be on their way to my mother's with Aoshi and Misao. My decision stands too." Kioku had on a defiant glare that seems to challenge her husband. Knowing his wife's stubborn temperament, he conceded, not wanting to fight her in whatever time they had left together.
The children were brought out of their rooms, with minimal luggage packed. Kioku made an immediate dash for her newborn.
"Kaoru, my dear Kaoru, you must be safe, and please, forgive us for *leaving* you. I… I… I will… I promise, to come for you if … if I'm still around." At this, the ever-strong Kioku broke.
Seeing tears streaming down his mother's pale cheeks, young Soujirou frantically bounded towards his mother, and with his small palms, begin to wipe her tears away and plant kisses on her cheeks. "Okaasan, please don't cry. I'm sorry for making you angry again. I---"
"No beloved. It's not your fault. I just … … Soujirou, you must be a big boy now and protect your sister, understand? Okaasan is going to attend to some serious problems with your father and may never return. So you must not be wilful and disobedient, all right?"
"I promise." At that he hooked his little finger to his mother's, sealing the word.
"Big boys don't cry, remember that." Koshijirou added.
"I will."
The children were sent on their way, with Aoshi leading Soujirou by the hand and Misao carrying the infant Kaoru in her arms.
"Kioku, I'm sorry, I ---" A finger was pressed to his lips.
"Don't be. I am contented just to stand by you."
Bloodthirsty battle cries mixed with sounds of shoji doors collapsing rippled through the air.
~~~~~~~~~~
At this time, the young pair of servants was already on their way. Now, people who are running for their lives are usually not in their best moods, let alone people now running so that others may live.
"Misao! Young Master! Hurry! This way!" Aoshi directed.
A group of soldiers carrying the Yukishiro banner dashed past them.
"We can't make it Aoshi! This place is teeming with Yukishiro soldiers! We have let Master down! Oh Aoshi…"
"Quieten down. I'm sure we can make it. Past the city gates and we're out of this place."
"Don't worry Misao-neesan. We'll protect you, won't we Aoshi?"
"… Yeah, we will. Be more cooperative, and I promise you'll be out of harm's way. They won't lay a finger on you." Aoshi desperately tried to convince this, this worrywart of a girl whom he had feelings for, ever since we started working for the Kamiyas.
"Hai!" Misao replied. Though she was still afraid, hearing Aoshi's promise did put her heart at ease.
The lot of them began to head towards the city gates.
"You! Over there! Where are you from and where do you think you're going! What audacity! Walking past us as if we didn't exist!" bellowed one of the Yukishiro guards.
"Farmers sire. We're just heading to the north to visit my in-laws. I beg your pardon for not telling you just now." Aoshi mock-bowed furiously.
"Farmers eh? Since when do farmers carry swords as you do? And your wife, she looks suspicious to me…"
Upon hearing the soldier addressing her as Aoshi's wife, she blushed a deep red uncontrollably. "Interesting, a mother of two children and still blushes when addressed. And you look too young to be a mother of two as a matter of fact." With that the soldier placed the sword at Misao's neck.
Aoshi drew his swords and began attacking the soldier while yelling at Misao to run with the children first.
"Don't be so stubborn; just go! I'll catch up with you later. GO!" Aoshi was losing his patience. Misao attempted to grab the young master's hands, but he was already held captive by approaching guards. Young Soujirou bit down hard on the guard's hand, but it was not too wise a thing to do, as that earned him a tight slap and more guards to take him down.
"Aoshi! Save Young master! I'll take Kaoru from here!" Misao desperately cried at the top of her voice. A quick look of acknowledgement was given and the both of them were on their way. Misao, trained in ninja skills since young, effortlessly leapt up a sturdy tree, which served as a safe hiding spot with an unobstructed view of the city gates.
'Kami-sama, please let Aoshi be fine. Please!'Aoshi was winning, and as young master was trained by master Koshijirou in the art Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, he proved to be a tough nut to crack too. However, when they were about to head in Misao's direction, they fell captive to the Yukishiro guards, who were a sneaky lot and had ambushed them. It was at this moment that Minister Yamazaki stepped out and attempted to free them, but as Misao was out of hearing range, she was unable to pick up on what they were conversing about. After a few more frantic hand gestures, both Aoshi and young master Soujirou were taken away, with Minister Yamazaki leading the way.
'Koshijirou-san trusted Minister Yamazaki with his life, and so should I. Aoshi, please be safe. I promise to look for you after Kaoru is settled. I will, so please don't desert me. Please. Take care.'
Wiping the last drop of her tears, Misao continued, alone except with infant Kaoru in her arms, the trek towards her destination.
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A/N: Again, hope u liked that! Well, I must admit. This is REALLY progressing very slowly……. But. I promise nxt chap will be better. It will. Coz they will meet! Guess ya know whom, right?
MANY THANKS TO REVIEWERS!!!
Jai-chan and Yuki-san / Koishii Sweet / chibiBattousai : Wow! You guys have great foresight! And because I believe that no one will read review responses unless addressed to them, I shall let a little secret out here! *whisperKaorucan'tspeakwhisperwhisper* heard it? Ok. Wait for the story to unfold!!!
Thanks yet again!!!
TO ALL READERS: THANK YOU for bothering to click on the link despite a weird summary and reading up to this point!